Overhead door



E. H. SAWYER Dec. 10, 1968 OVERHEAD DOOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 18, 1955 ATToRNeY E, H. SAWYER Dec. 10, 1968 OVERHEAD DOOR Original Filed Nov.

Fl e..

INVENTOR Emme; H. SAwYsR A-rwoanev E. H. SAWYER OVERHEAD DOOR Dec. 10, 1968 originan me@ Nov. 18, 1965 SAWYER 2"? invenroa EueENE H, BY

hadde@ Mgr-manu United States Patent Oce 3,415,304 Patented Dec. 10, 1968 3,415,304 OVERHEAD DOOR Eugene H. Sawyer, West Bend, Wis., assignor to Phenix Manufacturing Company, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Continuation of application Ser. No. 324,401, Nov. 18, 1963. This application May 4, 1967, Ser. No. 636,220 4 Claims. (Cl. 160-235) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sectional door for a garage having panel sections positioned with their edges adjacent each other and a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting the sections to each other. The hinge assembly is comprised of a pair of curved hinge sections which mate one with the other with the inner surface of one section serving as a bearing surface against which the outer surface of the other section is adapted to rotate in a substantially sealed relationship. To complete the assembly, hinge pin members are provided to hold the adjacent sections firmly together in pivotal relationship. Each hinge pin member is comprised of a pin section which snaps snugly into the inner hinge section and a base section adapted for removable connection to one of the panel sections. The panel sections are spaced from each other and slope outwardly from the hinge in such a manner so that at no point in the relative movement of the two sections is there a closing of one part onto another between which the fingers of the operator could accidentally be inserted.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 324,401, filed Nov. 18, 1963.

This invention relates to overhead doors of the type commonly used on garages.

A persistent problem with overhead garage doors is the danger of pinching the fingers of the operator between the hinged door Sections as the door is closed. This problern is present in most prior designs and has been the cause of some serious injuries.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a door which not only eliminates the danger of pinched fingers but, in addition, attains this object with a design which is both rugged and durable and yet is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and lends itself particularly well to on-site assembly and installation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved latch mechanism and top tension truss arrangement for an overhead door. 4

A further object is to provide an improved lateral strut construction for an overhead door to make it possible and practical to manufacture doors of increased width.

The objects of this invention are attained by a sectional door for a garage adapted to move between an upright closed position and an overhead open position including first and second panel sections positioned with their edges adjacent each other. Each of said first and second panel sections includes a substantially channel-shaped frame member along one edge thereof with the face of one of the channel members lying opposite the face of the other channel member and with the respective face portions spaced from each other a distance at least great enough to permit a persons fingers to project therebetween. The door further includes a hinge assembly which is comprised of a first hinge section formed on the channel member of the first panel section and providing an arcuate surface extending from the channel member of the first panel section with said arcuate surface facing substantially toward the inside of the garage. The hinge further includes a second hinge section formed on the channel member of the second panel section which includes a curved portion extending from the channel member in excess of with said curved portion having a first arcuate surface thereon mating with the arcuate surface on the first hinge section. The curved portion of the second hinge section is further characterized by a second arcuate surface formed thereon which opens unobstructed toward the inside of the garage. The hinge assembly is completed by a hinge pin member having a base section and a pin section with the pin section seated snugly inside the curved portion of the second hinge section and bearing against the second arcuate surface formed thereon, The base section of the hinge pin member is removably fastened to the inside face of the first panel section. The hinge pin member and the second hinge section are so formed and positioned with respect to each other that the pin section extends inside the curved portion through the unobstructed opening formed by the curved portion of the second hinge section. The curved portion of the second hinge section and the pin section of said hinge member are deformable to permit installation of the hinge pin member by snapping the pin section into the inside of the curved portion and then fastening the base section to the inside face of the first panel section. The channel members on the first and second panel sections lie in a common plane when the parts are in assembled position and. provide an unobstructed opening from the front of the panels to the hinge section to prevent pinching of the lingers between the channels upon operation of the door.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from the specification and claims, as will obvious modifications of the single embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view (with parts broken away) of the inside of an overhead door embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary elevation views of the inside of the door showing the improved latch mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 1 showing the improved adjustable truss arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the improved bracing arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the door shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged View taken :along line 8--8 of FIG. 1 (with parts broken away);

FIG. 9 is a view taken along line 9 9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a View taken along line 10-10 of FIG. `8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view (with parts broken away) of a portion of the door interior as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevation view of the front of the door.

Referring to FIG, l, the door as shown is formed of five door sections, there being a top section 10, a bottom section 12, and three intermediate sections 14, 16 and 18.

For purposes of explanation, reference is made to bottom section 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Like parts in the other sections will be numbered with like reference numerals. Section 12 is comprised of a top frame member 20, a bottom frame member 22 (of identical construction), and a pair of side frame members 24, 24 which together form a rigid frame for a panel member 26 of fiber glass or other suitable material. Frame members 20, 22 and 24 are preferably of extruded aluminum. The panels can be supported in the frame in any suitable :manner such as by spaced fianges 27 and 28 formed on the top and bottom frame members 20 and 22, as shown in FIG. 2. The

channel-shaped side frame members 24 are fastened to the ends of top and bottom members and 22 by metal screws to complete the section. Openings 32 are formed in members 20 and 22 to receive screws 30. Strips 34 of insulation material are mounted between side frame members 24 and the ends of panel members 26 to insure quiet operation of the door. To provide added strength to the door sections and to facilitate the mounting of hinge pin members and lateral braces as hereinafter described, a plurality of vertical support members 36 are fastened to the interior of each door section by bolts 38.

Referring now to the novel pinch-proof hinged joint construction of this invention, one such hinged joint is shown in FIG. 2 between bottom section 12 and the adjacent intermediate section 18. Since all of the other hinged joints between the remaining sections are identical to that shown in FIG. 2, only one such construction will be described. The hinged joint referred to generally by reference numeral 40 is comprised of a pair of curved hinged sections 42 and 44 formed on frame members 20 and 46, respectively. Sections 42 and 44 are preferably extruded right into the frame member and extend continuously the entire length of the frames. As shown in FIG. 2, section 44 is provided with an inwardly facing arcuate surface 4S thereon and section 42 is provided with both outwardly facing and inwardly facing arcuate surfaces 47 and 49, respectively. It will be appreciated that it is not essential that such hinge sections 42 and 44 extend continuously the entire width of the door. It is desirable that they do, however, to provide a completely sealed joint between adjacent sections. Hinge sections 42 and 44, it should be noted, are curved so that the inner surface 45 of the outer section 44 is of the same curvature as the Outer surface 47 of the inner section 42 so that when the two sections are pivoted with respect to each other they will maintain a continuous sealed relationship with each Other. The inner surface 45 of section 44 in effect serves as a bearing surface against which hinge section 42 is adapted to rotate in a substantially sealed relationship.

To complete the hinged joints, hinge pin members 4S are provided to hold the adjacent sections tirmly together in pivotal relationship. Hinge pin members are comprised of a pin section adapted to be seated snugly inside hinge section 42 against surface 49 thereon and a base section 52 adapted for fastening to frame 46 of section 18 by bolts 38. As shown in FIG. l, a hinge pin member 48 is mounted at each of the vertical support members 36 with attaching bolts 38 passing through such vertical supports to provide added strength to the door.

Referring now to the detailed construction of the hinged A joints 40, it is noted first that hinge section 42. is of circular configuration and provides an inside curved wall surface 49 which extends somewhere in excess of 180. Thus, hinge pin members are firmly and pivotally retained in the frame of door section 12 by hinge section 42 and are fastened to the frame 46 of the adjacent door section 18 by bolts 38. A freely pivoting hinged joint between adjacent door sections is thus provided by the use of only a few, simple parts.

Hinge section 44 is made to extend to a point short of the adjacent frame section 20 when the door is in closed position to prevent pinching fingers between the edge of such section 44 and the adjacent frame 20. As stated previously, hinge sections 42 and 44 extend the entire width of each door section and thus provide a continuous seal between adjacent sections. It is also noted that the hinge sections 42 and 44 are accessible from the exterior of the door so that the joints will be kept clean by the weather. In this regard it is further noted that panels 26 are shaped (FIG. 8) to provide a simulated siding effect which is also a substantially self-cleaning design.

From the foregoing, it is seen that hinge sections 42 and 44 not only serve to form part of the hinged connections between adjacent door sections but, in addition, such parts serve to provide a. substantially pinch-proof sliding joint between the sections. This important safety feature is attained by spacing the adjacent frame members 20 and 46 apart by the provision of hinge sections 42 and 44 which extend outwardly from the two members and mate with each other in such a manner so that at no point in the relative movement of the two members is there a closing of one part onto another between which the fingers of the operator could accidentally be inserted. In this respect it is noted that hinge section 44 rides in continuous contact with hinge section 42 at all relative positions of the two door sections and thus there is no separation of the moving parts into which a finger can be inserted.

The detailed construction of hinge pin member 48 is also of importance. In the preferred embodiment, pin section 50 and base 52 are made from a single stamping of stainless steel with pin section Sti formed by rolling one edge of the stamping, Thus it is noted that both hinge section 42 and pin section 50 are subject to resilient deformation permitting the installation of hinge members 48 by simply snapping the pin section 50 into the insde of hinge section 42 and then fastening the base 52 of the hinge member to the frame member 46. Once the hinge pin member is fastened to the frame member it cannot be snapped back out of hinge section 42 and thus there is no danger of the door sections becoming disassembled from each other' in ue.

The door sections, when assembled together by the hinge arrangement described above, are slidably mounted in a garage or similar structure in a conventional manner using a plurality of roller wheels 54 mounted along the edges of the door by brackets 56. Rollers 54 are adapted to ride in a pair of curved tracks 58, 58 mounted at opposite sides of the door opening as shown in FIG. 1. Tracks 58 curve upwardly and inwardly so that as the door is Opened and closed it will pivot at its hinged joints in the usual manner as it rides along in the tracks.

The novel top truss arrangement of this invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and includes a one-piece metal band 60 preferably of steel anchored at its ends 62, 62 and supported at the center by an adjustable support 64. Support 64 (FIG. 5) is comprised of a V-shaped bracket 66 fastened to the top frame member 68 of the top door section 10 by bolts 7G. Bracket 56 is provided with a slotted opening 72 for mounting a tension bar 74 thereon by means of a pair of bolts 76, 76. Tension oar 74 is provided with an opening 78 at its outer end through which ban 60 extends. It will be appreciated that by ad justing the position of bar 74 on bracket 65 the tension on band 6G can be varied. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, by putting band 6i) under tension the top door section itl of the door will be biased into firm contact with the header 8d of the door opening. The door will thus be held firmly in position against the header when in closed position even under conditions of strong and gusty winds.

The latch arrangement of this invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and includes a one-piece actuating cable 82 connected between a pair of latch members 84, 84 slidably mounted in brackets 86, 86 mounted on the side frame members of door section 18. Latch members are adapted for locking engagement with a pair of keeper members 88, 88 mounted at opposite sides of the door opening. Actuating cable 82 is supported at its center by a pivotally mounted color member 90 through which the cable extends and can freely slide. Collar 9G is freely pivotally mounted at its center and can be pivoted from the door exterior by means of a handle 92 (FIG. 12) which is operatively connected to collar 90 through an opening in the doo-r. Cable S2 is provided with tubular covering members 94, 94 of plastic or other resilient material to facilitate actuation thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4, the latch members 84, 84 are disengaged from keepers 88, 88 from inside the door by simply pulling on cable 82. The latch members can be actuated by gripping the cable at any point and by pulling it in any direction other than directly along its axis. Opening the door from the inside is thus greatly facilitated.

To open the door from the outside, handle 92 is simply rotated causing collar 90 and cable 82 to move from the full line to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3. Latch members 84 are provided with return springs (not shown) to return the parts to the full line position of FIG. 3 when either the cable or the handle is released by the operator.

The lateral brace arrangement of this invention is shown in FIGS, 2 and 6 and includes a-plurality of mounting brackets 96 adapted for supporting T-braces 98 which extend the entire width of the door. As shown clearly in FIG. 2, horizontal frame members 20 (and 22) are provided with laterally extending reinforcing struts 100 formed thereon. In doors of up to about 18 feet in width, struts 100 are adequate to provide the required structural rigidity. However, when doors of greater width are required it is necessary to provide additional lateral bracing. Such additional bracing is provided by T-braces 98, as will now be described. Mounting brackets 96 are comprised of a plate-like body 102 having a mounting ange 104 formed at one end for fastening to the do-or by bolts 38 which extend through vertical support members 36 (FIG. 6). A retaining flange 106 is formed on the top surface of body 102 and is dimensioned to grip the edge of strut 100 so that the bracket 96 will be retained securely in place when bolts 38 are tightened up. The outer end `of body 102 is notched as at 108 to accommodate the base portion 110 of T-strut 98 which is fastened to each bracket 96 by bolts 112. Both brackets 96 and T-struts 98 are preferably made from aluminum to provide the required strength with minimum weight. As shown in FIG. 1, a T-strut 98 can be mounted at the bottom of the door and at the hinged joint between each of the five door sections. By selecting T-struts of proper size, it is possible to build doors :as described above having widths well in excess of thirty feet, it being appreciated that as the width is increased the size of T- struts 98 must also be proportionately increased.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the `art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sectional door for a garage or the like adapted to move between an upright closed position and an overhead open position comprising:

first and second panel sections positioned ywith their edges adjacent each other;

a first binge section fastened to said rst panel section and including an arcuate surface extending from one edge of said iirst panel section, said arcuate surface facing substantially toward the inside of the garage;

a second hinge section fastened to said second panel section and including a curved portion extending from one edge thereof, said curved portion having a first arcuate surface thereon mating with said arcuate surface on said first hinge section, said curved portion further characterized by a second arcuate surface formed thereon and opening unobstructed toward the inside of the garage;

a hinge pin member having la base section and a p-n section, said pin section seated snugly inside said curved portion of said second hinge section and bearing against said second arcuate surface formed thereon, said base section being fastened to the inside face of said first panel section, said hinge pin member and said second hinge section being so formed and positioned with respect to each other so that said pin section extends inside said curved portion through said unobstructed opening formed by said curved portion of said second hinge section; and

each of said panel sections including an outer frame in which a panel is mounted, said first .and second hinge sections being formed on the frames of said panel sections, said frames and said hinge sections being formed from extruded aluminum, each of said frames having a reinforcing strut extruded thereon, and an .additional lateral brace member mounted on each of said extruded reinforcing struts by means of a plurality of bracket members.

2. A sectional door according to claim 1 in which each of said bracket members includes a mounting flange for securing said brackets to said panel sections and la retaining ilange adapted to securely engage said extruded strut when said bracket is mounted on said panel sections.

3. A sectional door for a garage or the like adapted to move between an upright closed position and an overhead open position comprising:

first and second panel sections positioned with their edges adjacent each other, said first and second panel sections each including a substantially channel shaped frame member along one edge thereof with the face of one of said channel members lying opposite the face of the other channel member, said face portions spaced from each other a distance of at least great enough to permit a persons fingers to project therebetween;

a first hinge section fastened to the channel member of said rst panel section :and including an arcuate surface extending from said channel member of said first panel section, said yarcuate surface facing substantially toward the inside of the garage;

a second hinge section fastened to the channel member of said second panel section including a curved portion extending from said channel member in excess of said curved portion having a first ar-cuate surface thereon mating with said arcuate surface on said first hinge section, said curved portion further characterized by a second arcuate surface formed thereon and opening unobstructed toward the inside of the garage; and

a hinge pin member having a base section and a pin section, Said pin section seated snugly inside said curved portion of said second hinge section and bearing against said second arcuate surface formed thereon, said base section being removably fastened to the inside face of said rst panel section, said hinge pin member and said second hinge section being so formed yand positioned with respect to each other so that said pin section extends inside said curved portion through said unobstructed opening formed by said curved portion of said hinge section, said curved portion of said second hinge section and said pin section of said hinge pin member being deformable to permit installation of said hinge pin member by snapping said pin section into the inside of said curved portion and then fastening said base section to the inside face of said first panel section, said channel members on said first and second panel sections when the parts are in assembled position with the panels lying in a common plane providing an unobstructed opening from the front of said panels to said hinge section to prevent pinching of the fingers between said channels upon operation of said door.

4. A sectional door according to claim 3 in which the faces of said channel members slope away from each other from said hinge section to the front of said panel sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,880,796 4/1959 Stroup 160-232 2,959,221 11/1960 Clapsaddle 160-235 X 3,067,814 12/1962 Anthony 160-235 3,104,699 9/1963 Wolf et al 160-232 X PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner. 

